Catholic college cans Kennedy speech, blames bishop

Reuters

By Scott Malone

BOSTON, March 30 (Reuters) - A small Massachusetts RomanCatholic college rescinded its invitation to Vicki Kennedy tospeak at its graduation ceremony this spring, saying the localbishop objected to honoring the widow of the liberal lionSenator Edward M. Kennedy.

A spokesman for Worcester Bishop Robert McManus declined to say why exactly he objected to the choice of Kennedy, a memberof the most prominent U.S. Catholic family in politics.

"Bishop McManus is acting, he feels, consistently with whatall of the U.S. bishops asked colleges or higher institutions todo going back to 2004, that they not honor ... Catholics whotake a public stance or position on issues contrary to thingsthat the Church is trying to teach," said Raymond Delisle, aspokesman for the diocese.

Kennedy said she was "disheartened" by the public rebuke.

"I am a lifelong Catholic and my faith is very important tome," she said in a statement. "I have not met Bishop McManus norhas he been willing to meet with me to discuss his objections."

She said that by opposing her appearance at the college, thebishop "has made a judgment about my worthiness as a Catholic."

Senator Kennedy, a Democrat, was a liberal standard-bearerduring his nearly 47 years in office and an advocate forabortion rights -- a stance that ran afoul of church teachings.His brother John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president of theUnited States, was assassinated in 1963.

The school, Anna Maria College of Paxton, Massachusetts,apologized to Kennedy.

"As a small, Catholic college that relies heavily on thegood will of its relationship with the Bishop and the largerCatholic community, its options are limited," it said in astatement.

The Catholic church has been increasingly vocal on politicalissues over the past year, particularly regarding the use ofcontraception, which the church opposes.

In February, clergy around the United States were asked toread statements at the pulpit calling on the administration ofPresident Barack Obama to exempt religious employers from payingfor insurance coverage of contraceptives.

Following Edward Kennedy's death in 2009, the clan hasslowly faded from the political spotlight, though Joseph KennedyIII -- grandson of Edward's brother Robert, who also served inthe Senate -- has announced plans to run for Congress.